[fri98]

I had a Pentax DA L 55-300mm f4-5,8 that I sold because I found it too slow (and noisy) but thanks for your tip, Kozloc. I will have a look at the lenses you recomend.

I can recommend you the 55-300 PLM for around $300 USD in the used market, it is lightning fast (at least with the K3 M3), way faster than my 50-135 (screwdrive converted), and as other said, if you plan to using it on the outside, you won't miss not being f/4.0 for all the zoom range, and it's also half the cost of a used 60-250.

[Kozlok]

I had a Pentax DA L 55-300mm f4-5,8 that I sold because I found it too slow (and noisy) but thanks for your tip, Kozloc. I will have a look at the lenses you recomend.

Which is why I recommended the PLM version. Perfectly silent, very fast to focus. IQ is similar to the older, screwdrive 55-300, so you will be familiar with what it can do. Not amazing, but serviceable.

[fri98]

Which is why I recommended the PLM version. Perfectly silent, very fast to focus. IQ is similar to the older, screwdrive 55-300, so you will be familiar with what it can do. Not amazing, but serviceable.

I disagree with you about the "not amazing, but serviceable" comment, I recently took it to a safari ride an boy what a crisp and detailed IQ I got from it, I do recommend you to check this lens samples here in the forum, or check some images in the 300mm club, and I'm sure you'll be amazed by what this little guy can do.

[Kozlok]

I disagree with you about the "not amazing, but serviceable" comment, I recently took it to a safari ride an boy what a crisp and detailed IQ I got from it, I do recommend you to check this lens samples here in the forum, or check some images in the 300mm club, and I'm sure you'll be amazed by what this little guy can do.

I do have the 55-300 PLM. I think it's good, and I use it frequently, but it's not on the level of lenses like the 50-135 or the 60-250. That said, an out-of-focus shot from one of the "better" lenses isn't as good as an in-focus shot from the PLM, and with the PLM I'm much more likely to nail focus in time for the shot.

[sebberry]

I do have the 55-300 PLM. I think it's good, and I use it frequently, but it's not on the level of lenses like the 50-135 or the 60-250. That said, an out-of-focus shot from one of the "better" lenses isn't as good as an in-focus shot from the PLM, and with the PLM I'm much more likely to nail focus in time for the shot.

Agreed. My 50-135 had to be converted to screw drive after 3 SDM failures. There's enough slop in the screw drive mechanism that it'll miss focus depending on which end of the focal range it's coming in from so it makes it quite difficult to use. In some cases I've gotten far better shots from the 55-300PLM than from the 50-135.

[Scorpio71GR]

Hmmm, I own both the DA*50-135 and DA*60-250. Hands down, the DA* 60-250 is one of my favorite lenses. It just never seems to let me down. I use on my K-1 more than I do on my K3. The DA*50-135 is however, a quicker and lighter lens to use. Especially when you convert it to screwdrive. As already stated, there seems no conversion for the 60-250 even though it does support screwdrive. Honestly as much as I love my DA*60-250, I would never use it for sports., I use my Tamron 70-200 F2.8 for that. It may be screwdrive, but the autofocus is more reliable and faster than that of the DA*60-250. Plus, the Tamron 70-200 is quite compact for its size. I had a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 with OS and it was too bulky and heavy for me to carry around all day, In my opinion the 50-135 and 60-250 are too very different lenses. I tend to think of my 50-135 as my portrait and action lens where I need to be able to shoot in low light. The 60-250 is my all around, multi purpose, wildlife, landscape, cityscape, lens where I will not be shooting anything in burst mode. Not too say it can not do it. It is just that there other lenses that can do that much better. Also I do know the 60-250 quite well. I designed the modified baffle that was used in the In Depth Review about using the 60-250 on the K1. I have thought about the new DFA 70-10 F4 but for now I am happy with my DA 60-250 and would rather spend my rather extremely limited funds on other things I do not currently have. If I had to pick one lens from my line up to use for motorsports it would hands down be my Tamron 70-200. The extra stop and faster autofocus just beat the 60-250 out completely there. Plus the Tamron is internal zoom where as already stated, the 60-250 is not.

Just to give you a comparison this is the 50-135 and the DA 60-250 with the 60-250 zoomed all the way out to 250mm. It is not a small lens and I would not consider using it without a battery grip like I do with my 50-135.

[gatorguy]

I had a Pentax DA L 55-300mm f4-5,8 that I sold because I found it too slow (and noisy) but thanks for your tip, Kozloc. I will have a look at the lenses you recomend.

That was an entirely different lens than the PLM version. It may be the fastest to focus of all Pentax APS-c lenses and is essentially noiseless. I second the suggestion of the 55-300 PLM.

[mikesbike]

That's a nice lens that I also own. I'm not sure its in the same league as the DFA 70-200 however.

I should have qualified my statement better than I did. I meant to say, I prefer my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 (on my KP) rather than going for a DFA* 70-200mm f/2.8 (on my K-1 II). Of course I know I would definitely get even better resolution with the DFA lens on my K-1 II, more so because of a 50% resolution increase from the 36mp K-1 II when taking the same framed shot using the 70-200mm vs the 50-135mm on the KP. No question. But I have considered, how often would I really reach for my K-1 II and the blunderbuss DFA* 70-200mm over my KP with DA* 50-135mm setup?? It would most often be the KP setup of course, and that lens is so compact and easy to grab and carry! And the quality I'm getting from it is extremely satisfactory. Even then, I mainly use it when I need some tele work in conditions where the f.2,8 capability will be important, or its own size and weight factor is no problem, and again I love the quality imaging it gives me. Otherwise, turning to the 55-300mm for many circumstances, along with say the DA 20-40mm Ltd is a great way to go.

Some are suggesting the 55-300mm PLM. I think a good suggestion- unless one needs the f/2.8 capability! Must remember as far as capability and quality too, what is wide open with a 55-300mm is stopped down with f/2.8 lenses. I have the HD DA 55-300mm WR, whch delivers good enough AF for me on my KP. But it cannot replace my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 lens! My DA* 200mm is also a wonderful lens to round out my Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC HSM, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 combo. If I need WR all the way through, I compromise some speed and WA in having the Pentax 20-40mm Ltd at the short end.

Therefore, from my point of view, having the DA 55-300mm PLM to handle many situations, along WITH the premium kit- the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 plus TC, AND the DA* 200mm f/2.8 would provide two great alternative kits for APS-C use.

I would recommend this over the DA* 60-250mm, as not having the f/2.8 advantage, is quite large and heavy, and risky in not being able to convert to screw-driven if SDM fails.